Twin brothers play opposites in 'Aladdin Jr.,' their final performing arts musical
WOOSTER – After nearly seven years with the Wayne County Performing Arts Council's summer musical performance, time is up for twin brothers Andy and Aaron Saari.
The 18-year-olds, who just graduated from Triway High School, will play opposites in their final production with WaCPAC in this year's "Aladdin Jr.," a dynamic they haven't done before.
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"It'll be really interesting to play opposing characters because we've never really done that," said Aaron Saari, donning full Jafar attire as the stern antagonist of the show.
Saari will appear with exaggerated painted-on eyebrows and facial hair while his brother, Andy Saari, will be covered in blue clothes and with a painted blue face as the comedic Genie.
"It's surreal to leave because we've been doing this for a while," Andy Saari said. "I have had a reputation for being the funny one since being here, so I get a little type cast. But I don't mind."
The brothers will appear alongside nearly 50 other students in grades 4 through 12 from across Wayne County schools in multiple shows between June 10 and 19.
One last show before college
With only a few days until their first "Aladdin Jr." showing, the Saari brothers are ready to hone their skills in a few last-minute rehearsals.
"I'm feeling pretty good," Andy Saari said, adjusting his blue gloves. "I know most of my songs just from watching the movie; it's basically all memorizing."
While Saari has practiced for his role as the Genie, he has spent 40 hours each week at Schaeffler for his co-op since graduating from Triway in May.
"It's fairly easy to balance because I'm not on the factory floor or deep in design like other people there," Saari said.
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After a long day at his co-op, he said he looks forward to his end-of-day rehearsals.
"It's something fun after a day at work," said Saari, who hopes to pursue a job in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics field.
Both brothers will attend Ohio Northern University this fall for majors in the STEM field, they said. But that may mean giving up the theater.
Aaron Saari would like to continue theater as a hobby, but he does not know how much time he will have with a full class schedule.
"I know they have a theater, so I could do it if I balanced the time right," he said. "I might come back here (in Wooster) to help out over the summers."
Wayne County Performing Arts Council
The Wayne County Performing Arts Council puts on a summer musical each year with volunteer student actors and parents, said Jenny Karger, artistic director at WaCPAC
Karger joined the nonprofit in 2014 when she expanded the junior musical program, she said.
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She described the nonprofit as a "family affair."
"Parents and volunteers build and paint the sets down at our warehouse," she said. Her boyfriend even helps construct each set.
Parents are encouraged to volunteer some time to one of a few different committees.
Volunteers use their skills to create special effects and props, like the 3-D printed genie bottle Andy Saari will use during the musical this year.
While they rely on volunteers, she said local churches like First Presbyterian Church, the Wooster United Methodist Church and Central Christian Church provide spaces to practice.
"We really couldn't do it without them," she said.
"Aladdin Jr." will run on June 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and June 19 at 2 p.m. at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center Fisher Auditorium.
General admission is $10. A family four-pack is $30. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Reach Bryce by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com
On Twitter: @Bryce_Buyakie
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: 'Aladdin Jr.' to feature 50 Wayne County student actors
